by Deborah M.

Created on: July 23, 2008

The basic function of a spell candle' is to serve as a visual focus for the spell caster. It is a physical representation of the change that the spell is to create. In this respect, a spell candle is the same as most other forms of sympathetic magic(1) performed. Spell candles differentiate from other forms of sympathetic magic in the following ways:

Amulets, talismans, and related items: Unlike these, the candle is consumed in the completion of the spell. Additionally, the components of candle magic are generally quite easily located and inexpensive.

Poppets and other effigies: The candle's effectiveness is not constrained by shape, size, color, or other physical attributes beyond how it would assist as a visual focus for the practitioner.

Burning slips of paper: Upon the completion of the spell, it is possible to reuse the candle itself or the wax from it in a new spell candle.

Ritual dependent spells: The physical dexterity to light a candle and the ability to mentally focus upon the objective of the spell are all that is required of the practitioner.

A candle used for casting spells does not need to meet any specifications beyond what will assist the practitioner in their effort to focus. Candles that burn poorly, are not aesthetically pleasing, and are cheaply mass produced are of equal effectiveness to the high quality, hand-crafted beeswax candles that are a delight to the senses. Indeed, the effectiveness of candle magic, like all forms of magic, is dependent upon the spell caster's mental focus and the correct alignment of their will(2).

The effect of a given candle spell is governed in part also by the structure of the spell performed. There are four general variations of candle magic. Onset candle magic is keyed(3) to the act of lighting the candle. It is well aligned to blessings(4) and it works well for rapid results. Terminal candle magic is keyed to extinguishing the candle and is also good for rapid results. It is well aligned to curses(5). Continuous candle magic is keyed to the burning of the candle. This is well aligned to spells that are to take effect over a period of time and is good for general spell work.

Candle spells that require the burning of a candle over a period of time can be described as extended continuous candle magic. Composite candle magic incorporates onset, continuous and terminal candle magic. The majority of publicly available spells that use candles are composite candle magic.

Some explanations of candle magic use esoteric metaphors to describe the manifestation process of spell work. The manifestation process of candle magic is the same as the manifestation process of all other forms of spell craft. The ritual serves to help the practitioner recognize that which will assist them in creating the desired change. Generally, this is a subconscious effect, where the suggestion' of the change is securely placed in the mind as a direct result of the ritual and it manifests via the subtle influences exerted upon the choices and activities of the practitioner.

- End Notes -
1.) Also known as low magic', sympathetic magic employs ritual and various mnemonic devices to assist the practitioner in maintaining a highly focused mental state to successfully affect a change within the practitioner's world view.

2.) Effective spell casting is outside of the scope of this article. Please look for my article on that topic for more details.

3.) A spell is keyed' to a ritual element that is the predetermined critical focus or the climax of the spell.

4.) A blessing is (in addition to the commonly known invocation) is a specifically structured spell to increase something.

5.) A curse is a specifically structured spell to diminish something.

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